21 Dec 2018
The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Sekai Nzenza has assured Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) that there is no need for panic following reports that the government could be planning a clampdown on PVOs.
“There is no need for panic, it is a thing of the past and we are not going back there. We want PVOs to stick to their mandate and if they fail, we will follow the due process that may lead to revoking of licenses,” Minister Nzenza said.
“I understand that there may be one or two incidents that led to this and there was concern that the particular organisations were undermining the direction that the new dispensation is taking. Yes, the language sounds like that of the previous administration but that is not where we are headed.”
The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare was speaking at a meeting with the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) National Board Chairperson, Wadzanai Vere, National Board Children Sector representative, Reverend Tailor Nyanhete, Director of the Department of Labour, Langton Ngorima and Acting Director of Social Welfare Department. Criswell Nyakudya. The meeting was requested by NANGO, as it sought clarify of what had widely been construed as a bid to clamp down on PVOs.
Following a cabinet meeting on December 11, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare cautioned PVOs to stick to their mandate and stop dabbling in politics, raising fears that the government could target some organisations.
NANGO Board Chairperson, Wadzanai Vere, said the ministry needs to be cognisant that a blanket statement threatens the security of the broader civil society including trusts that report to their boards and not the ministry.
“We need the ministry to categorically state that there is no need for panic and the situation is under control. It should have been clear if the statement applied to PVOs that are regulated by government. Nonetheless, NANGO members are curious as to what the security threat is, who the implicated organisations are and background leading to issuance of the statement,” said Vere.
The Director of the Department of Labour, Langton Ngorima, asserted that government has various sources of information and that it may be difficult to pinpoint culprits at this stage.
“The statement was more of a warning, something that the previous era would not issue. The ministry is open for dialogue and we are glad you sought audience,” Ngorima added.
In a bid to foster engagement between the parent ministry and NGOs, officials from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare welcomed invitations to platforms that bring together NGOs, government ministries and other stakeholders. They noted the need to reassure people, engage and help NGOs appreciate where government wants to take communities.
NANGO is the officially recognised coordinating body of NGOs operating in Zimbabwe. NANGO, the largest umbrella body for non-governmental organisations in Zimbabwe. Established in 1962, it is a non-partisan, non-profit making organisation and non-denominational coordinating body of NGOs in Zimbabwe. It is mandated by its membership to coordinate the activities of NGOs, represent the NGO sector and strengthen the voice of NGOs in Zimbabwe.
